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Netflix star Richard Gadd has reassured concerned fans after revealing the hell he went through over many years when he was being stalked.
The comedian, 34, has detailed his horrific experiences in series Baby Reindeer, based on his one-man show of the same name.
The true story stars Gadd as struggling comic Donny Dunn’s relationship with a woman named Martha (played by Jessica Gunning) who turns into his stalker.
While their first encounters seem innocent and friendly, she becomes obsessive and incredibly attached, bombarding him with thousands of emails and voicemails, and turning up at his place of work and home.
Baby Reindeer goes on to depict sexual assault, trauma and the police’s failure, leaving viewers not only horrified and harrowed, but with many expressing concern for Gadd.
Sharing a screenshot of the series reaching the number one spot on Netflix’s Top 10 TV programmes in the UK, Gadd wrote: ‘Number 1. Thanks to everyone for tuning in and making this possible and for all your lovely comments too.’
He added: ‘I am okay, for those asking. I promise.’
Gadd had previously spoken about suffering from something ‘like PTSD’ after going through the stalker hell, and had ‘every type of therapy going’.
He added to The Times: ‘I am way more cautious around people now. It takes me a long time to trust them. Before, I entered situations with such abandonment and I got burnt.’
Gadd was showered in support in the comments, with followers expressing how powerful the series was.
@mrjoshlyon wrote: ‘I had to watch all 7 in one massive gulp of television. Couldn’t take my eyes away. This is truly excellent work. I was in tears by the end. I’ve suffered similar exploitation and abuse and I know those same feelings of utter worthlessness. I still haven’t found an outlet, catharsis or redemption but watching a story like this makes me feel so much less alone in the world. You also gave me the biggest belly laugh I’ve had in several years (20’17” mins into ep 5). I had to pause the show to compose myself as I lost control of my breathing and began coughing/choking on my involuntary laughter, I know it’s dark but the absurdity and sadness send me over the edge. It takes a lot to provoke such a reaction from me. I can’t remember the last time something both horrified and tickled me to the same degree. Suffice to say, I’m immediately going back and re-watching it. I can’t wait to see what you do next. Enormous congratulations to everyone involved. All the best and sorry for the long comment.’
@d.a.vibes added: ‘One of the best shows I have EVER seen. Thank you for this; sharing your story will touch the lives of so many people who have also experienced traumas. The writing, the acting, the cinematography, the score!! Everything! Perfection!’
‘This was incredible Richard, I finished it yesterday and immediately started it again. Thank you for sharing your story, it was so beautifully yet agonizingly told in every way, the rawness and vulnerability of your character really broke me and I know this is going to stick with me for a long time. Really well done,’ @chi_limpiroj said.
‘Stalking on television tends to be very sexed-up. It has a mystique. It’s somebody in a dark alley way. It’s somebody who’s really sexy, who’s very normal, but then they go strange bit by bit,’ Gadd previously told Netflix Tudum.
‘But stalking is a mental illness. I really wanted to show the layers of stalking with a human quality I hadn’t seen on television before. It’s a stalker story turned on its head. It takes a trope and turns it on its head.’
He added that it was ‘challenging’ visiting ‘the worst period’ of his life, saying: ‘It’s running back towards an awful fire you’ve been in.’
Baby Reindeer is available to watch on Netflix.
Victim Support
Victim Support offers support to survivors of rape and sexual abuse. You can contact them on 0333 300 6389.
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